Wrestling, swim and dive teams ready for season

The Estes Park High School swimming team will also begin its season on Dec. 1 when they host Eaton High School for the Sprint Meet. (File photo / Estes Park Trail-Gazette)

The Estes Park High School swimming and wrestling teams are implementing CrossFit training and a new weight room regimen this preseason to prepare them for their opening matches the first week of December.

The wrestling team opens its season on Dec. 1 at the Fairview invite. Until then, the Bobcats are hoping that they can find more students who are interested in being part of the team. Right now, only seven spots are filled, and they are all underclassmen. Head Coach Adam Edwards is hoping that the boys that are currently on the team will get out the word to encourage their peers to join.

"I'm hoping more kids will come by and check out practice and see what wrestling is all about," said Edwards.

The wrestling team opens its season on Dec. 1 at the Fairview invite. Until then, the Bobcats are hoping that they can find more students who are interested in being part of the team. (File photo / Estes Park Trail-Gazette)

With the team being so young, they are up against a challenge when they have to face schools equipped with a full roster decorated with both veterans and rookies. But Edwards accepts that challenge and expects it will create a drive in the team to compete at the best of their abilities.

"We will have some trouble scoring a lot of team points at dual and tournaments, but I'm hoping match for match that we'll be competing with the bigger teams," Edwards said.

Following a solid performance last year, Elijah Kitchen is one of the Bobcat's strongest returning members. Coach Edwards expects him to have a "dominating season" this year.

"I have high expectations for all my wrestlers this season, and I know the type of work they are putting in during practice will translate to wins this season," Edwards said.

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Coach Edwards will be assisted again this season by Coach Will Casey, whom he said is "a huge asset to the team."

The Estes Park High School swimming team will also begin its season on Dec. 1 when they host Eaton High School for the Sprint Meet.

The girls will be led by a new head coach this season. Sherry Flanery is a veteran swimmer who has competed at a national level. She swam all four years in college and continues to work with her alma mater's master's team. She's a young and enthusiastic addition to the Estes Park High School swimming team, and she's excited to get her feet wet as a coach.

"What I lack in coaching experience, I make up for in swimming experience," she said.

Currently, the team only has five swimmers, but Flanery is hoping that she can fill some more spots on the roster before the season begins.

The team will be led by the three returning seniors, Kaelin Flanery, Abby Lemirande and Annalise Basch, who all have been state qualifiers in previous years. The team's underclassmen will add to their chemistry as they are both strong, talented swimmers.

"We have a returning sophomore Ellie Bergsten who is an up-and-coming talent. And During preseason, we added freshman Ella Santagoti, who I expect will be a strong part of our team," Flanery said.

Ultimately, her hope is to have the team's roster be eight swimmers strong by the start of the season.

During preseason training, the girls are also being taught CrossFit, stroke technique and speed development by a handful of people Flanery strategically picked. Her hope is that with the help of these other coaches, the girls will become more well-rounded swimmers. That's key if this small group of swimmers wants to find success this season, and Flanery is showing that she's up for the challenge.

"I am looking forward to having a small but mighty team and getting as many of our girls to the state meet as possible," Flanery said.

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